Wherein We Make a Terrifying Discovery

[Kit-Ginevra]

Erm....guys... Gravekeeper's back... Seraph returned... I see four horsemen lining themselves up now!!

[EricKei]

AS - I'm enjoying it quite a bit. I'll pick up the expansion during the next set of Steam sales (most likely gonna be the usual 2 or 3 from mid-November til Dec 3 or so, then Dec 16 to Jan 4th, IIRC). Pleasantly dark, though I would have liked to see/hear more variations on the comments for killing enemies (you can only hear "Destroyed!" or "Obliterated!" so many times in an hour before it becomes old hat Love the narrator's voice, tho.

[Mondestrucken]

I really missed your writing. It was something to look forward to every week, knowing that there would be something laugh out loud funny that also understood the bitter and ugly underbelly of customer service.

Here's to hoping that your health improves steadily and surely.

[Alpha Strike]

GraveKeeper: As a fellow call center convict (15 years and counting) I'm glad to see you're back and no longer working at that dread location. You're a fantastic writer and I always looked forward to your posts; it just sucked that it had to come at the cost of you working there. I hope you're able to get better and enjoy your time now.

...

I feel it's also worth pointing out there are two types of call centers: Ones directly run by the company they are taking calls for and ones run by companies CONTRACTED by the company they are taking calls for.

It's the latter that have a reputation for really sucking. My first call center fell into that category and it was horrible. I came in at the end of February with a training class of 25 people. By June 1, I was the ONLY ONE left.

Amen to that. Our current call center supplements our staff with contract or "Vendor" staff, who aren't paid well, don't get benefits,don't get the full training regime, and are tossed into very tough situations. It's no wonder we lose about 95% of them within a few months.

AD - I used to take Gapapentin for diabetic neuropathy. It worked rather well -- ...

I was diagnosed with a mild case of diabetic neuropathy a few years ago, but have been fortunate enough that I don't need meds yet to deal with the pain and tingling. My doctor brought up Gabapentin as a "Just in case" drug, so I'm glad to hear it's effective in helping the symptoms.

By the way, how are you enjoying Darkest Dungeon?

[Nunavut Pants]

Side-track: I lurked for a long while, and enjoyed GK's stories immensely. When I contemplated joining up, I gave some thought to a user name. I thought about "GK Stalker" for a bit, and then read that someone had actually stalked him in RL! I took another look, and realized that such a user name was, umm, well beyond the bounds of reasonable taste--even apart from there being an actual stalker!

So I decided to use one of the frequent tropes from GK's posts as my user name, in tribute to him.

Yes, GK, you have been missed.

[JarethsPet]

When I first joined is about the time you last posted. I did back read everything a long time ago and was glad for it.

All well wishes to you in your days of retirement and hopefully we'll see you around again.

Thanks for letting us know you're still about.

[sylvier]

You have been missed, hope that your more quiet lifestyle will allow some healing. Glad to hear you have a cat, kitties can sure make life interesting

[ladydyani]

Dude! It was your stories that brought me to this site in the first place! So glad to see you're doing ok. I won't say good, because with a sister and a wife with similar issues, I know good gets reserved for special days.

Be sure to check out Agrabara. He seems to be filling the void quite nicely.

Same here! I was linked to a GK story, then ended up signing up on the forum and reading GK's entire posting history. And then I found a few others...

Gravekeeper, I'm glad you're retired, just reading your threads would make me tired on your behalf. Take care of yourself, and feel free to post some re-runs if you're bored.

And thank you for all of the laughs, dropped jaws, and wide-eyed astonishment!

[EricKei]

AD - I used to take Gabapentin for diabetic neuropathy. It worked rather well -- Then it went and got Scheduled (made a Controlled Substance with a capital C) ...or something...last December or so, and suddenly, the generic shot up from the usual $10 price to more like $80-120 for the same amount/dosage. Way out of my price range for a twice daily med x.x They have me on Amitriptylin now, which almost kinda sorta works, but only when my toesies are really giving me major trouble.

[CaptainThrifty]

Dude! It was your stories that brought me to this site in the first place! So glad to see you're doing ok. I won't say good, because with a sister and a wife with similar issues, I know good gets reserved for special days.

Be sure to check out Agrabara. He seems to be filling the void quite nicely.

[Krysalis]

It's good to see you again, even for one last story post! This has been the best birthday gift. Glad you're taking retirement well, and enjoy yourself!

[Mike Taylor]

Good to see a familiar old face, Gravekeeper. For myself, I don't post here so often any more because, well, the SCs haven't been all that common at work.

[WishfulSpirit]

It's good to hear from you again Gravekeeper and I am glad you aren't dead. I hope you're doing as well as can be expected and if at all possible, on the mend. Thanks for popping in to entertain us, we love you and you're a legend around here.

[Enjis]

We have ALL missed you and your amazing tales. I am so sorry you are having a tough time, medically, but I hope things improve for you soon.

[Jay 2K Winger]

Every time I read stories about the horrors of call center work, I am reminded to be grateful that my own IT service desk job does NOT have any real contact with the general public.

And to be grateful that I have managers and supervisors that take care of their people and don't try to just work us to death.

I am so very sorry for my call center brethren that have to deal with the real shit.